40k miles garage kept and still looks like this

 

Because AZ? and Because old Chevy?

 

You may be right. 😂😂

 

I would say, probably never had anything on it to protect it from the sun. UV protection.

 

I bought my C5 used around 2010 and my roof looked worse. I found one on CL for $300 that was pristine. The guy used the painted one and kept the clear one in a spare bedroom. Within a couple years it started crazing too. I was pissed. I had planned on having it painted, but ended up selling the car to buy a C7.

 

I’m surprised there isn’t a place that refurbishes these for an affordable price. Such a common problem. I just don’t have the time to wet sand it myself and even if I did seems like re-spraying it with a clear coat has its own set of problems.

 

There is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/C5-corvette...53.m1438.l2649
I plan on getting mine done...maybe. I'm not sure my 99 is worth it.

 

Interesting. Anyone have experience with that service?

 

Unfortunately, this is "normal". It was a common problem not long after these cars were new. Mine looked the same when I bought it and was also a 40k mi garaged car. Looked like someone messed up when detailing and took a rotary buffer with sandpaper right down the side of it. I researched it last year and found out it was a common issue, especially on the passenger side, which is where mine was. Not only was there heavy delamination on that side, but I had spider cracking (not actual cracks) throughout. I spent a weekend refinishing it and it's 90% again. If I would have hand sanded with 400 grit first rather trying to take the easier route with a machine sander, it would be close to 100%. It looks fantastic from outside the car, but inside looking up, you can see small imperfections. I rarely use it but figured it would be a fun project. I may have been wrong on the fun part, but it got done. The lexan is TOUGH by itself, but getting the factory tint/UV protectant off was the most difficult part by far. You may have better luck, it seems to be hit or miss on that part. There are multiple threads detailing refinishing them. Cost me about $100 in supplies and two days worth of vigorously working at it....or you can buy one that's in better condition for $400-800 most of the time. To put UV protection back on it, I just used a couple coats of JetSeal from CG.

 

I can't speak to this as a common problem. All i know as the original owner of this 98 is I have protected this roof from day one with the same product that i put on the Painted surfaces. I have some rock chips on the leading edge, but other than that this roof is perfect. So in my opinion it has been UV protection that is the key. And i do know that in the past in threads about these tops. People were using things for Lexan to clean, That was harmful to the clear.

 

I think I’m going to give corvettetops.com a go. Very reasonable price and I found some good feedback on here.

 

Melrose Corvettes??

 

I’ll give them a look. Thanks.

 

I have 30k miles now and I have this and this to look at.

 

This melrose place looks legit. Apparently “gm certified”. More expensive than corvettetops.com at $600 compared to $400 but their work looks really good. There’s a YouTube video of them explaining how the put in a new lens. I was going to buy a used one but those run about $500-700 and they will obviously delaminate eventually.

 

If you go with them, please give us feedback on how it went

 

I just had melrose redo my glass top and was very satisfied. I wanted them to use my top so I wouldn’t have readjust. Told them to make it new. They called me and told me my seals were good and recommended me not to have new ones. Looks brand new. Would definitely use them again. If you guys want pics I’ll try to get some tomorrow. Very quick service too.

 

did they refinish or replace? Refinish won't work in my particular case.

 

thanks. Yeah. I think I’m going to go with melrose as well. It appears corvettetops uses a lesser quality lens than stock.

 

Melrose has been doing tops and exhaust for years, they are a tad more popular in the C4 section and I sent them a C4 glass top many years ago for a new lens and weatherstrip, never had an issue